The Unique Way Norman Sets Its Water, Sewer Rates Could Be Changing

June 17, 2014 | 9:58 AM

Norman is the only city in Oklahoma that requires water rate increases to be approved through a vote of the people, which at times has stymied attempts to upgrade aging water infrastructure, and makes planning for future expenses difficult.

At a special Norman City Council meeting Tuesday evening, the charter review commission will propose changing the city charter to put the power to hike rates back in the hands of the council.

“It’s good news and bad news,” Komiske says. “If you educate your customers, tell them why you need the money, they’ll step up and they’ll help you with it.”

Komiske says voters approved sewer rate increases for improvements to Norman’s wastewater treatment plant in November 2013 by a more than 50-point margin.

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Robert Mark Campbell

I wish Norman were more like Oklahoma City, who has a city council who can bring citizens on board for things like MAPS. Instead, we have council who run on the platform of “representing consituents”, yet after they are elected take the vote away from citizens on major issues. Citizens of Norman have proved with issues like Lindsey Street Widening, and the Animal Shelter, that they will vote on projects that make sense to them. I might vote for a water-rate increase, but not if it is really just a behind-the-scenes ploy to just pave the way for rampant overdevelopment (which it WILL always be if it is taken out of the hands of the citizens.)

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